Decoy



June 10, 194.1'. E, w, ELFSTRAND I 2.245,267

' DEGOY Filed 'July 16, 1938 Egg.

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Patented June 10, 1941 ETI-:D STATES TENT orrlc 6 Claims.

This invention relates to decoys for hunting, and particularly to decoys of the inflatable type.

Solid decoys utilized extensively at this time have been objectionable because of their bulk and weight and clumsiness to handle. The few inflatable decoys known to applicant have been impractical because of complicated construction and clumsiness, or because of inefficient anchoring means associated therewith.

It is an object of my invention to provide an exceedingly light inatable decoy which may be compacted in the form of a thin envelope or bag and which when inated will closely simulate the shape of game for which it is intended to be used as a decoy.

Decoys extensively used have been also objectionable because of clumsiness of the anchoring means and the diiculties encountered in anchoring out the decoys and in picking up the same and disposing of the anchoring lines and weights.

It is a further object of my invention to provide readily detachable anchoring means, a part of which acts as the plug or closure for the inflatable body, and the weight and line of which may be quickly and compactly secured with said rst mentioned part, occupying a minimum amount of space.

A still further object is the provision of an extremely light inflatable decoy provided with means for keeping the head of the body facing into the wind.

These and other objects and advantages will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of my invention when inflated, some portions being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing the inflatable body collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view showing my anchoring elements compactly secured together for disposal when the device is in use, and

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the form of anchor illustrated, taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

My improved decoy comprises an inflatable bladder or bag B preferably, although not necessarily, constructed of rubber or other suitable air impervious material having the required flexibility and preferably having some degree of elasticity or stretchability.

In the embodiment illustrated the bag or bladder is constructed from two fiat sheets of rubber or other impervious flexible material seamed together at their edges by bonding, vulcanizing or the like and shaped in the form of the game simulated, which in the embodiment illustrated is a wild duck. The bag may of course be integrally formed by dipping or other processes as in the manufacture of hot water bags and other rubber articles. As shown, the head, body, bill and part of the tail are inflatable, although it will of course be understood that within the scope of my invention the bill or some other portions might be filled with solid or semi-solid material.

As shown, the tail of the inflatable bag has an upturned portion which may be bonded or secured together to form an upstanding thin vane 5 for the purpose of assisting in keeping the bag headed into the wind. A tube 6 of preferably heavier material than the bag is connected with the central lower portion and communicates with the interior to facilitate inflation. This tube when the decoy is inated and utilized, ldepends from the body of the decoy at a point slightly forward preferably of the middle of the body and is immersed and covered as is its reenforced connection with the bag by the water. The outer extremity of tube 6 preferably is reenforced at 6a to receive and positively retain a tapered closure plug l which constitutes a ballast member and forms also a part of my improved anchoring means. The plug 'l may have a knurled or roughened surface to more securely and frictionally engage the interior of tube 6. This plug has means such as the eye 'la for connection with the anchoring line 8. I provide an anchor or weight which is preferably constructed of some non-corrosive metal and which I shape in the form of a spool 9. Preferably a flatted spool is utilized for compactness and convenience in storage. 'Ihe spool-like Weight 9, as shown, is provided with a roughened groove 9a adapted to receive the plug member 1 when theanchoring means are detached from the decoy proper. The line 8 may then be quickly doubled and wound about both the spool and the plug to secure the two together in compact form, and the looped end of the line may then be wedged between the plug and outer surface of the spool to positively secure the spool and plug together and to secure the line against loosening or unwinding.

With my improved structure a dozen or more decoys with the associated anchoring means may be carried in as small a container as a cigar box, and the weight of the assembly is very little.

In setting out my decoys the inflatable bodies are taken out, one at a time, blown up and one of the anchoring devices quickly attached with the plug '1, closing the filling tube and the weight and then dropped into the water. In taking up the decoys after hunting the plug l is first removed from the bag, the line doubled and wound about the spool and plug in the manner shown in Fig, 4 with the looped end fastened between the two said members. There is no chance of tangling up the various lines when a number of decoys are used and carried together as is the case with most decoys used at this time.

By providing the vane portion 5 at the tail of the inflatable body and by disposing the lling tube and consequently the point of anchorage slightly forward of the center of the body, the heads of the decoys are caused to point into the wind.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provided an extremely simple but highly eicient decoy which may be manufactured at low cost and which is extremely portable, light and occupies a minimum amount of space.

It-will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, proportions and arrangements of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention,

What is claimed is:

l. A decoy comprising a buoyant body in the shape of the game simulated and detachable anchoring means for said body comprising a member having a detachable connection with said body, a flexible element connected with said member, and a weight in the shape of a winding e1ement,vsaid weight being contoured to receive said rst mentioned member and adapted to be tightly secured therewith by means of said flexible element being wound about both elements and secured by being wedged between said elements.

2. A decoy comprising, an inflatable bag constructed of thin flexible elastic material and formed in the shape of the game simulated, an elastic tube communicating with the interior of said bag and depending from the central lower portion thereof, said bag being collapsible in flat form and constituting when inflated the body, tail and head of the decoy, a ballast device having a portion in the form of a plug tapered toward its upper end inserted in said tube from the open end thereof to close said tube and frictionally engaging the same for its sole support, an anchor for said body and a cord connecting said anchor and said device,

3. A water surface decoy comprising a buoyant body simulating in appearance one form of wild game, and having depending and secured thereto at the bottom thereof an elastic tube the bore of which has substantially the same diameter throughout its length, in combination with a ballast member, said member carrying a stem having a peripheral contour substantially complemental to the cross sectional shape of the bore of the tube, said stem having a smaller cross section at the end within the tube than at any other point, said end of the stem designed to enter said tube readily and the stem being designed to engage the bore of the tube with sufcient friction to support the ballast member.

4. In the combination defined in claim 3, said buoyant body comprising a relatively thin bag inflatable through said tube` and said stem being constructed and arranged so that the end within the tube seals said tube when pushed thereinto.

5. In the combination defined in claim 3, said tube having a peripheral reenforcement at its free end, and said ballast member having a roughened surface designed to enter said free end to establish a substantially positive connection with said reenforcement preventing separation of the buoyant body and the ballast member.

6. A decoy assembly designed for anchorage in relatively shallow waters, comprising a buoyant body substantially simulating the appearance of a bird and having adjacent its tail portion a vertical vane, a ballast member secured to the bottom of said body centrally thereof and closer to the breast end than the tail end thereof, said member carrying a stem having a peripheral contour substantially complemental to the cross sectional shape of the bore of the tube, said stem having a smaller cross section at the end within the tube than at any other point, said end of the stem designed to enter said tube readily and the stem being designed to engage the bore of the tube with suflicient friction to support the ballast member, a weight designed to sink into anchoring engagement with the soil beneath the water and an elongated flexible element connected between the bottom of said ballast member and said anchoring weight.

EDGAR W. ELFSTRAND. 

